May 24, 2006

Don't DeWine About Nelson's Vote...

A Democrat who reads NRSC press releases religiously noticed something interesting about a missive sent out today criticizing Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) for having "decided to follow his party leadership" and rejecting the Mitch McConnell national voting photo ID amendment.

"Instead of voting for a sensible measure to require a photo I.D. in order to vote, Senator Nelson decided to follow his party leadership," said NRSC Spokesman Brian Walton. "Reducing voter fraud shouldn't be a partisan issue, but apparently for Ben Nelson it is."

Fair enough.

But joining Nelson in voting against the amendment: Sens. Lincoln Chafee and Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH)

We will reward this Dem with a blind quote: "The Shotgun approach always hits a friend... ask Dick Cheney."

Today In The Senate, Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) Voted Against A Simple Anti-Fraud Measure To Require All Voters To Present Photo Identifications At The Polls.

Immigration Overhaul-Voter Identification. "Dodd, D-Conn., motion to table (kill) the McConnell, R-Ky., amendment no. 4085 that would require all voters to present a photo identification at the polls that meets federal standards under a 2005 law." (S. 2611, CQ Vote #143: Motion rejected 48-49: R 4-49; D 43-0; I 1-0, May 24, 2006, Ben Nelson Voted Yea)

In A Recent Poll, 81% Favored Requiring Voters To Show Valid Photo IDs When They Vote. (NBC/Wall Street Journal Poll, 1005 adults, +/-3.1%, April 21-24, 2006)

The Photo ID Requirement Was Recommended By A Bipartisan Commission Co-Chaired By Jimmy Carter. "[Senator McConnell] noted that the photo ID requirement was recommended last year by a bipartisan voting reform commission chaired by former Democratic President Jimmy Carter and former Republican Secretary of State James A. Baker III." (Michael Sandler, "Senate Limits Debate, Moves Toward Final Immigration Vote," CQ Today, May 24, 2006)

Posted at 07:27 PM

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